Welcome

This is my personal blog, on which I talk about a variety of topics purely as they catch my fancy. Some topics are serious, others whimsical. I love comments and questions so don't be shy, just courteous, even if you don't agree with me. I have another blog, The Story Template, on which I post writing-related topics on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Let's see, a bit about me... I'm married with two children, and spend much time taking care of our family. In my life BC (before children) I was a scientist who did bench research. I am a Christian who came to faith under protest through studying the historic circumstances surrounding the death of Jesus. I've written one novel, A Lever Long Enough, that I'm honored to say has won two awards. I also have written a nonfiction book, The Story Template: Conquer Writer's Block Using the Universal Structure of Story. This book is a programmed learner-type book that helps you, the writer, develop a complete compelling story (novel or screenplay) from a vague idea.

YOU CAN CONTACT ME at amydeardon at yahoo dot com.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Yogi Berra's Commencement Speech

"Thank you all for being here tonight. I know this is a busy time of
year, and if you weren't here, you could probably be somewhere else. I
especially want to thank the administration at St. Louis University
for making this day necessary. It is an honor to receive this honorary
degree.

It is wonderful to be here in St. Louis and
to visit the old neighborhood. I haven't been back since the last time
I was here. Everything looks the same, only different. Of course,
things in the past are never as they used to be.

Before
I speak, I have something I'd like to say. As you may know, I never
went to college, or high school for that matter. To be honest, I'm not
much of a public speaker, so I will try to keep this short as long as I
can.

As I look out upon all of the young people here
tonight, there are a number of words of wisdom I might depart. But I
think the most irrelevant piece of advice I can pass along is this:
"The most important things in life are the things that are least
important.

I could have gone a number of directions in
my life. Growing up on the Hill, I could have opened a restaurant or a
bakery. But the more time I spent in places like that, the less time I
wanted to spend there. I knew that if I wanted to play baseball, I
was going to have to play baseball. My childhood friend, Joe
Garagiola, also became a big-league ballpayer, as did my son, Dale. I
think you'll find the similarities in our careers are quite different.

You're
probably wondering, how does a kid from the Hill become a New York
Yankee and get in the Hall of Fame? Well, let me tell you something,
if it was easy nobody would do it. Nothing is impossible until you
make it possible.

Of course, times were different. To
be honest, I was born at an early age. Things are much more
confiscated now. It seems like a nickel ain't worth a dime anymore.
But let me tell you, if the world was perfect, it wouldn't be. Even
Napoleon had his Watergate.

You'll make some wrong
mistakes along the way, but only the wrong survive. Never put off
until tomorrow what you can't do today. Denial isn't just a river in
Europe.

Strive for success and remember you won't get
what you want unless you want what you get. Some will choose a
different path. If they don't want to come along, you can't stop them.
Remember, none are so kind as those who will not see.

Keep
the faith and follow the Commandments: Do not covet thy neighbor's
wife, unless she has nothing else to wear. Treat others before you
treat yourself. As Franklin Eleanor Roosevelt once said, 'The onl y
thing you have to fear is beer itself.'

Hold on to
your integrity, ladies and gentlemen. It's the one thing you really
need to have; if you don't have it, that's why you need it. Work hard
to reach your goals, and if you can't reach them, use a ladder. There
may come a day when you get hurt and have to miss work. Don't worry,
it won't hurt to miss work.

Over the years, I have
realized that baseball is really just a menopause for life. We all
have limitations, but we also know limitation is the greatest form of
flattery. Beauty is in the eyes of Jim Holder.

Half the lies you hear won't be true, and half the things you say, you won't ever say.

As
parents you'll want to give your children all the things you didn't
have. But don't buy them an encyclopedia, make them walk to school
like you did. Teach them to have respect for others, especially the
police. They are not here to create disorder, they are here to
preserve it.

Throughout my career, I found good things
always came in pairs of three. There will be times when you are an
overwhelming underdog. Give 100 percent to everything you do, and when
that's not enough, give everything you have left. 'Winning isn't
everything, but it's better than rheumatism.' I think Guy Lombardo said
that.

Finally, dear graduates and friends, cherish
this moment; it is a memory you will never forget. You have your
entire future ahead of you.